The Dickinson press., 1887-06-25

massing III front. Anon Franklin discovered
heavy columns on his right. BY this lnasterly
Confederate tactics the corps commanders
We're kept expecting an attack all day and
prevented from sending aid to Porter
Again, at sunset, Porter still desperately
fighting, sent for help. Could it he spared.
Mcclellan asked. Then Sumner sent Frcnch's
and Thomas Francis Mcaghcrs brigales, but
confessed that lie thought he was running n
risk to do it.
The two brigades dashed across the bridges
and UP the bluff toward Gaines Mill with /.
shout and cheer Mcaghcr, the lively Irish
general, at their head in his shirt sleeves, the
soltiers tell.
liut then it was too late.
porter's terribly cut up line had broken in
the center at last. The soldiers who had
fought so bravcly and SO long We're rushing
pelmell toward the Chcahominy, in full
rout. The comrades who had come to save
them could only cover their retreat and stop
the Confederate pursuit.
1t was Hoods and McI.aw's Texan brigadcs,
Of Whiting, division, that at last broke Titz
John Portcr's line. The regular and zouavc
regiments did not break.
In the fight Of Gaines Mill two regiments,
one Of New Jersey, the other of Pennsylvania,
We're surrounded and taken prisoners. With
them was Brig. Gen. Reynolds
Under the protection of Meaghcr's and
Frcnch's brigadcs Porters whole corps, what
was left Of it, retrcated to the south banl: of
the ChickaAoniny. Some of his artillery
was left behind.
Thus one corps and division Of McClel-
lans army was made to fight more than two
Al. l.. cAl.- l.. 4
Richmond. In this bloody battle Pol'tcrs
corps lost G00o men, killed, wounded and
prisoners: the Confeleratcs. $500.
Morning found Fitz John Porter's corps
across the river, and the bridges destroyed
beLindit. Stonemans and Emorys cavalry,
cut OFF from the rest Of the corps, escaped by
the way Of White House and Yorktown, and
went down the York river and up the James
and rcjoincd the army Of the Potomac.
During the Peninsula campaign the French
princes, the Due de Chartrcs and the Comte
dc Paris, received thorough experience of
American warfare. They served as aides on
McClellans staff, with the rank of captain,
from September, 1861, to the close Of the
seven days fighting. They We're the grand
sons Of King Louis Philippe, and were the
same two princes that have been recently cx-
Ae'i ny VIC TIe!lcu government. w ltn tnclf
uncle. the Prince dc Joinv:llc, they followed
the fortunes of the army of the Potomac.
They were brave, dashing young fellows
then. full of fun and merrimcnt They kept
up their own establishment, with their uncle,
who was very deaf. Some of McClelan's
happiest hours were passed in their tent, in
those weary days.
AT midnight after the disaster at Gaines
Mill Mcclellan sat in his tent and wrote to
Secretary Stanton a dispatch, the like of
which was never sent by soldier to his s,.-
periors before; IF save this army now, l
tell You plainly that owe no thanks to You
or to any other persons i'll Washington. You
have done Your best to sacrifice this army. "
! Then he announced to his officers his intention
to b"gin his march south to the James AT
dnybreuk he was at Savage station, OH the
York and Richmond railroad, breaking cam,
ani preparing for the journey TO the James.
BY noon that day, June rs, krycs division
/, had crossed White Oak swamp aud taken po,